Razor blade sharpening device



Aug. 29, 1933. H. KUSKA 1,924,995

RAZOR BLADE SHARPIENING DEVICE Filed April 8. 1932 Patented Aug. 29, 1933 c YUNHTED STATES PATENT OFFICE RAZOR BLADE sHAarENING DEVICE Henry Kuska, Chicago, Ill. Application April 8,1932. serial No.V 604,062 9 claims. (o1. 51-i53) My invention relates to improvements in razor blade sharpening devices, and it consists in the combinations, constructions, and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of my invention is to provide a razor blade sharpening device adapted for sharpening or stropping any type of so-called safety razor blade in a manner similar to that for sharpening or stropping a straight edge of a non-safety razor blade.

Another object of my invention is to provide a razor blade sharpening device of the type set forth in the above object which may be used with a strap of leather' or other suitable material.

A further object is to provide a razor blade sharpening device having novel means whereby an even pressure may be exerted on the blade for holding the blade in engagement with the sharpening member or strap.

e still further object is to provide a razor blade sharpening device having novel means whereby the blade being sharpened may be positioned at different angles with respect to the sharpening member or strap.

Another object is to provide a razor blade sharpening device having novel means for preventing the blade from cutting or digging into the sharpening member or strap when the device is in operation.

fr further object is to provide a razorblade sharpening device simple in construction and cheaply manufactured.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, in which Figure l is a top plan view of my device,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of my device,

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 u of Figure 3.

in carrying out my invention, I provide a plate member or body portion l having a pair of projecting portions 2 associated with each end thereoi and oppositely positioned on opposite sides of the plate member.

The plate member 1 is further provided with a pair of bearing pro'ecting portions 3 which are positioned on opposite sides of the plate member 1 and disposed substantially in alignment with the bearing projecting portions 3 and intermediately positioned with respect to the projecting portions 2. The plate member 1 and the projecting portions 2 and 3 may be formed from a single sheet of material such as aluminum. Y

A rod member 4 is associated with each of the paired projecting portions 2 and is positioned transversely to the plate member l and in spacedapart relation with respect to the projecting portions 2. The rod member 4 is provided with end portions 5 formed integral therewith, which G5* in turn have lug portions 6 receivable in aligned openings l in the projecting portions-2 for pivotally connecting the rod member with the projecting portions. Each of the projecting portions 2 is provided with an inwardly extendingl portion 8 as shown in Figures 1 and 4. Each of the projecting portions 3 is provided with a plurality of openings 9 and 10 therein. v

While I-have shown each of the projecting portions 3 in the drawing as being provided 75 with two openings it will readilybe understood that any suitable number of openings may be provided. The centers of the adjacent` openings 9 and 10 of each of the projecting portions 3 are positioned a lesser distance apart than the SQ sum total of the radii of the openings so that the openings may be in communication by the space 11 between inwardly extending portions 12 of the projecting portion 3.

A shaft 13 extends through either of the paired 8.5, aligned openings 9 or 10 in the projecting portions 3 and is equal in diameter to the diameters of the openings 9 and 10 which are equal in diameter to each other. The shaft is provided with reduced portions 14 adjacent with the ends 90. thereof. The reduced portions 14^are of a diameter small enough that they may pass through the spaces 11 so that the shaft 13 may be moved from the pair of aligned openings 9 in which it is disposed as Ashown in Figure 4 to the pair 95, of aligned openings 10 or vice versa. The shaft is also provided with a circumferential flange or collar portion 15 which may be integral with the shaft or otherwise ixedly connected therewith is normally positioned abutting the inner 109 Vside of one of the projecting portions 3 as shown in Figure 4.

v A sleeve member 16 is mounted on the shaft 13 and is slidable with respect thereto. j yThe outside diameter of the sleeve member 16 is equal lo to the outside diameter flange portion 15. The sleeve member 16 has one end abutting the projecting portion 3 which is oppositely positioned to the other projecting portion 3 abutting the flange portion 15. A helical spring lv'lwisvdis- 1.0

l metal, nber, or the like.

posed on the shaft 13 which is positioned between the sleeve 16 and the ilange portion 15 on which it bears and tends to keep in engagement with the projecting portions 3.

A tubular member 18 is disposed over the iiange portion 15, the sleeve 16, and the spring 17 and is concentric with the shaft 13. A blade retaining member 19 is of substantially the same length as'the tubular member 13 and extends around the tubular member 18 with which it may be frictionally or otherwise iixedly connected. The blade retaining member 19 terminates in a pair of oppositely disposed resilient gripping portions 20 which are provided with a spacing member 2l` therebetween and are secured together by a unit of any suitable means such as screws or rivets 22. The blade retaining member 19 may be constructed of any suitable material so that the gripping portions 20 may have the proper resiliency and yet be sufficiently rm for receiving and iirmly retaining a razor blade 23.

In Figure 3 I have shown the razor bladev as being of the type having a head portion 24 which is disposed between the gripping portions 20 but it will be readily understood that the gripping portions are adapted for securely holding a blade of the double edge type. IThe spacing member 21 may be constructed of any suitable material, A spring member 25 is disposed over the blade retaining member 19 and may be iixedly connected therewith by the screws or rivets 22. The spring member 25 terminates in a pair of resilient portions 26 which are oppositely disposed in spaced apart positions on the exterior sides of the gripping portions 20.

A sharpening member or razor strap 27 is disposed on the plate 1 and positioned between the opposed pairs of projecting portions 2 and 3. Gripping members V28 are connected with the end portion of the strap 27 by any suitable means such as screws or rivets 29.

On referring to Figures 2 and 3 it will be noted that the resilient portions 26 normally bear on the strap 2'7 and retain the razor blade 23 in a spaced-apart position with respect to the strap. It will also be noted that the rod members 4 are adapted for extending over the razor blade 23 and in engagement therewith.

, From the foregoing description of the various parts of the device, the operation thereof may be readily understood. The razor blade to be sharpened is iirst positioned between the gripping portions 20 as shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3. The tubular member 18 and, of course, the other members connected therewith are then rotated until one of the resilient portions 26 engages the strap v27 at which time the edge 30 of the blade will bedisposed in a slightly spaced-apart position with respect to the strap. The rod 4 is then pivoted for being positioned above and in engagement with the blade 23. f

The operator may then exert pressure on the rod member 4 for moving the blade member in engagement with the strap. The pressure on the rod member 4 may be exerted by the operator placing his thumb on the rod member and retaining it therefor holding the blade in engagement with the strap. At the same time and 'during the continued holding of the blade member in engagement with the strap member 27, the strap member is pulled to the right until it reaches its extreme position to the right. Pressure is then released from the rod member 4' Yat which time the blade 23 will be moved out of engagement with the strap by reason of the resilient portions 26. The rod member 4 is then pivoted so that it may not be disposed in a position over the blade 23. The blade 23 together with the blade retaining structure is then rotated about the shaft 13 until it is disposed in the dotted line position shown in `Figure 3, at which time the rod member 4 may be pivoted for being associated with the blade in the same manner as described concerning the rod member 4.

The strap 27 may then be moved toward its extreme position to the left for sharpening the edge of the blade in engagement therewith.

rReferring' to Figures 2 and 4, it will be noted that the shaft 13 is shown as being disposed in the aligned openings 9 at which time the blade 23 will be positioned at its greatest angle with respect to the strap 27. Let us assume that the operator does not wish the blade to be positioned at such a great angle with respect to the strap for being sharpened. By pressing on the end 31 of the shaft 13, the shaft 13 may be moved longitudinally and against the action of the spring 17 for compressing the spring until the reduced portions 14 of the shaft are positioned within the openings 9. The shaft 13 may then be moved downwardly into the aligned openings 10 by reason of the fact that the mean diameters of the reduced portions 14 are such that they may pass through the openings 11 between the extending portions 12. When pressure is released from the end 31, the spring by reason of its action on the collar portion 15 will move the shaft for positioning the portions of normal diameter within the openings 10, thereby retaining the shaft 13 in the openings 10.

The blade retaining structure will then be positioned so that the blade may be positioned at a lesser angle when in engagement with the strap. The strap 13 is actuated in the manner for being moved from the aligned openings 10 back to the aligned openings 9. While the device has been shown and described as having two pairs of aligned openings in communication with each other, it will readily be understood that a greater number of pairs of aligned openings may be utilized for providing a greater number of p0- sitions in which the blade may be disposed at an angle when in engagement with the strap.

While I have described and shown my device in accordance with a certain specific construction, it will readily be understood that various changes may be made in the construction of the device without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

I claim:

1. A razor blade sharpening device comprising a body member, a razor blade retaining means disposed in spaced-apart position with respect to the body member, a strap positioned between the retaining means and the body member and movable with respect thereto, said blade retaining means being swingable for alternately moving the opposed sides of a blade carried thereby into engagement with the strap, means for adjustably positioning the axis of rotation of the blade retaining member with respect to the body members for varying the angle at which the blade may engage the strap, resilient means connected with the blade retaining means for normally holding the blade out of engagement with the strap, and means movably connected with the body member and adapted for engagement with the blade whereby the blade may be held at an even pressure in engagement with the strap. v

2. A razor blade sharpening device comprising a plate member, a pair of oppositely disposed projecting portions connected with the plate member, each of said projecting portions being o provided witha plurality of openings incommunicationwith each other and in alignment with corresponding openings in the opposite projecting portion, a shaft rotatably mounted in a pair of the aligned openings, a razor blade retaining means mounted on the shaft and disposed in a spaced apart position With respect to the plate member, and a strap positioned between the blade retaining means and the plate member and movable with respect thereto, said blade retaining means being swingable for alternately positioning the opposed sides of the blade in engagement with the strap, said shaft being longitudinally movable with respect to the blade retaining means and provided with reduced portions for being shifted from one set of aligned openings to another set of aligned openings for varying the angle at which the blade may engage the strap. y n S. A razor blade sharpening device comprising -a plate member, a pair of oppositely disposed projecting portions connected with the plate member, each of said projecting portions being provided with a plurality of openings in communication with each other and in alignment with corresponding openings in the opposite projecting portion, a shaft rotatably mounted in a pair of the aligned openings, a razor blade retaining means mounted on the shaft and disposed in a spaced apart position with respect to the plate member, a strap positioned between the blade retaining means and the plate member and movable with respect thereto, said blade retaining means being swingable for alternately positioning the opposed sides oi the blade in -J engagement with the strap, said shaft being longitudinally movable with respect to the blade retaining means and adapted for being shifted from one set of aligned openings to another set A of aligned openings ior varying the angle at l -J which the blade may engage the strap, and means movably connected with the body member and adapted for engagement with the blade whereby the blade may be held at an even pressure in engagement with the strap.

e. A razor blade sharpening device comprising a plate rn ber, a pair ci oppositely disposedproons connected with the vplate member, d projecting portions being provided a plurality of openings in communication th eac-- oth and in alignment with correspondi, g cpeni -gs in the opposite projecting portici a shaft rotatably mounted in a pair of the aligned openings, a razor blade retaining means mounted on the shaft and disposed in a spacedapart position with respect to the plate member, a strap positioned bet-veen the blade retaining means and the plate member and movable with respect thereto, said blade retaining means being stvingable for alternately positioning the opposed sides of the blade in engagement with the strap,

said shaft being longitudinally movable with respect to the blade retaining means and adapted for being shifted from one set of aligned openings to another set of aligned openings for Varying the angle at which the blade may engage the strap, and re lient means connected with the blade retaining means for normall;Y holding the blade out oi engagement with the strap.

5. A razor blade sharpening device comprising a plate member, a pair of oppositely disposed Loi projecting portions connected with the plate member, each of said projecting portions being provided with a plurality of openings in communication with each other and in alignment with corresponding openings in the opposite projecting portion, a shaft rotatably mounted in a pair of the yaligned openings, a razor blade retaining mounted 'on the shaft and Ydisposed in a spaced-apart position-with respect to the plate a strap positioned between the blade retaining means and the plate memberV and movable with respect thereto, said blade retaining means being swingable for alternately positioning the opposed sides of the blade in engagement with the strap, said shaft being longitudinally movable with respect to the blade retaining means and adapted for being shifted from one set of aligned openings to another set of aligned openings ior varying the angle at which the blade may engage the strap, resilient means connected with the blade retaining means for normally holding the blade ont of engagement with the strap, and means movably connected with the body member adapted for engagement with the blade whereby the blade may be held at an even pressure engagement with the strap.

5. A razor blade sharpening device comprising a plate member, a pair of oppositely disposed projecting portions connected with the plate member, each of said projecting portions being provided with a plurality of openings in communication with each other and in alignment with Corresp lding openings in the opposite projecting por -om a shaft rotatably mounted in a pair of the aligned openings, a razor blade retaining means mounted on the shaft and disposed in a spaced-apart position with respect to the plate member, a strap positioned between the blade retainirg means and the plate member and movable i ith respect thereto, said blade retaining 115 means being svvingable for alternately positioning the opposed sides of the blade in engagement with the strap, said shaft being longitudinally movable with respect to the blade retaining means and adapted forvbeing shifted from one set of 120 a ned openings to another set of aligned openingM lor varying the angle at which the blade may engage the strap, and spring means for yieldingly retaining the shaft in its normal position.

k7. A razor blade sharpening device comprising 125 a plate member, a pair of oppositely disposed projecting portions connected with the plate member, each of said projecting portions being provided with a plurality of openings in communication with each other and in alignment with 130 corresponding openings in the opposite projecting portion, a shaft rotatably mounted in a pair of the aligned openings, a razor blade retaining means mounted on the shaft and disposed in a spaced apart position with respect to the plate member, a strap positioned between the blade retaining means and the plate member and movable with respect thereto, said blade retaining means being swingable for alternately positioning the opposed sides of the blade in engagement 140 with the strap, said shaft being longitudinally movable with respect to the blade retaining means and provided with reducedportions for being shifted from one set of aligned openings to another set of aligned openings for varying the angle at which the blade may engage the strap, and spring means for yieldingly retaining the shaft in its normal position.

8. A lever blade sharpening device comprising a plate, a sharpening member slidably supported 150 each bearing having openings arranged to register with similar openings in the other bearing, and reduced communicating slots between adjacent openings, a shaft having reduced portions arranged to pass through the reduced slots for shifting the shaft from one set of bearings to the other, a blade holder carried by the shaft and adapted to engage the strap, and spring means for normally holding the reduced portions of the shaft out of registration with the reduced slots.

. HENRY KUSKA, 

